Hot-water heater for army use



March 19, 1946.

J. BREESE HOT WATER HEATER FOR ARMY- USE Filed Feb. 19, 1944 Patented Mar. 19, 1 946 2,396,819 HOT-WATER HEATER FOR USE James L. Breese, Santa Fe, N. Mex assignor to Oil Devices, Santa Fe, N. Mex a limited partnership of Illinois Application February 19, 1944, Serlal'No. 523,016

14 Claims. (01. 122-17) My invention relates to an improvement in hot water heaters and has for one purpose'to provide a heater adapted for use with a generator type burner in which the rate of combustion is controlled by controlling the rate of flow of air to a fuel container. Another purpose is to provide improved .thermostatic control means for controlling the burner of a hot water heater. An-

other purpose is to provide a readily demount- Figure 2 is a section, on an enlargedscale, on

the line 2-2 of Figure 1; I

Figure 3 is a section, on an enlarged scale, on the line 3--3 of Figure 1 and Figure 4 is a section, on an enlarged scale, on the line 4-4 of Figure 1. I

Like parts are indicated by like numbers throughout the specification and drawing.

Referring to the drawing, i generally indicates a fuel supply container which has a removable top 2. Secured to the top is an air inlet tube 3 having one or more longitudinally extending slots 4 which extend both above and below the normal level of the liquid fuel 5 within the container i and insure the delivery of a supply of air to the surface of the fuel. 6 indicates a second air inlet tube with a longitudinally extending slot 1. It is provided with a removable cover 8 which may have an adjustable shutter 9 therein, which can be actuated by the nob iii. The cover 2 is provided with a central aperture II. top of the cover 2 is a burner pot i2 havinga plurality of primary air inlets l3 located at various levels therein. it indicates a top row of secondary air inletswhich are preferably larger and more closely spaced and may be upwardly and inwardly inclined. The pot has a bottom l5 centrally apertured as at IS in alignment with the aperture H of the cover 2. The pot is shown as having a top flange I! to which is secured an outer skirt 18. Air may flow inwardly and up-- wardly about the lower edge of the skirt I8. I9 is a central apertured flame ring partially closing the top of the pot I2.

20 generally indicates a plurality of supports which are connected attheir upper ends by a channel ring 2!. 22 is any suitable bottom connection or reinforcement for th supports 20.

Secured to the 28 is the outer wall. herein'shown as cylindrical, of a hot water tank. 24 illustrates a cylindrical inner wall which also defines a central heating chamber aligned with and in communication with the interior of thepot l2. The hot water tank is completed by a bottom member-'25 and a top member 26. The means for admitting and removing water from the tank are not shown, :but it will be understood that any suitable means for supplying it with cold water and for removing the heated water may be employed. 2! is any suitable top closure ring with a central flange 28 defining a flue passage. 28 is any suitable flue member which may be removably positioned thereabout. A centering member or members 30 may be employed, secured to the bottom member 25 of the tank, and seating in the channel ill. I may employ a circumferentially extendingring, or a plurality of segments or any other suitable supporting devices properly shaped to enter the upward concavity oi the channel 2|.

3! indicates an air inlet tube the upper end of which is located above th top 26 of the tank and the lower end of which extends below the bottom 2 25 of the tank. It is provided with. an enlarged bottom sleeve 32 which is adapted to telescope with the upward extending end 311 of the air inlet 35 warping bar mounted in any suitable tube or container M secured to the top of the air inlet tube 3!. 'The warping bar lil is preferably so placed as to respond directly to the heat of the combustion chamber surrounded by the inner 40 wall 24 of the water tank. As the heat of the device for the tube 3| which responds relatively directly to changes in the temperature of the waterin the tank. I illustrate, for example, a pin 45 extending across the tube 3| andprovided with a warping coil 46, one end of which is anchored on the pin and the other is secured to a pivoted isc or ring 41 with a central aperture 48 and some measure of clearance 49 between its outer edge and the opposed inter-faces of the tube 3|. Thus as the heat of the water in the tank increases, the warping element 45 is effective to move the ring 41 to minimum air flow position. Preferably the pin 45 seats or is secured at its end to a ring 50 which is slidable within the tube 3! but is of suflicient tight flt to prevent unintended movement. However, it may be inserted or removed by the employment of any suitable push rod, and may be set at any desired level or position.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. 1, therefore, wish my drawing and descriptions to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative and diagrammatic.

The use and operationof my invention are as follows:

The burner shown herein is of the generator type and includes a fuel supply chamber I, a hydroxylating pot l2, and means for supplying air to the fuel pot. In starting the device I may initiate combustion by removing the cap 8 and dropping a pieceof illuminated waste or other suitable material to the surface of the fuel. I may leave the cap off or replace the cap and turn the knob Hi to provide an excess supply of air until combustion is initiated. Since the device is cold, there will also be a maximum air flow through the slots 4 of the tube 3 and combustion will also be supported adjacent to tube 3. When the machine is heated and in operation, the supply of air through the cap 8 may be reduced or out ch.

In the normal operation of the device the precombustion which takes place in the chamber I .vaporizes suflicient fuel to support combustion in the pot l2. This vaporized fuel moves up through the apertures H and I6 and receives a primary air supply through the air inlets Hi. This mixture then receives its secondary air from the inlets M. The final mixture burns at or above the top of the pot and the flame flows upwardly through the central aperture of the flame ring l9 and into the space defined by the inner tank wall 24. Once the device is in operation, the rate of combustion is controlled by the rate of flow of air downwardly through the tubes 3| and 3. Overheating of the burner will result in overheating of the flue 29 and the top of the combustion chamber 21 and will actuate the valve 42. When the water reaches a predetermined elevated temperature, the ring 41 is moved by the warping coil 46 to minimum air flow position. Thus overheating of the burner and overheating of the water within the tank are prevented,'with a consequent fuel saving.

The structure herein shown is well adapted to outdoors use, for example, to Army use or to camping use. The device may be easily and quickly set up or taken down. The water tank is supported on the supports 20. In setting the device up the supports 20 are first set in position. The burner assembly is then positioned and the -water tank is lowered into supported position with the member or members 30 entering the channel 2|. The sleeve 32 is slipped about the tube portion 3a, and thedevice is ready for use. Any suitable flue member 29 is removably positioned about the top flange 28.

heater and flue space, a burner including a, liquid v fuel storage and vaporizing chamber and a burner pot in communication with the interior of said chamber the interior of the not being in communication with the interior of said flue space, the burner pot being generally axially aligned therewith and being positioned to close the bottom .of said space, means for withdrawing the flue gases from the top of said space, and air supply means for said vaporizing chamber including an air tube extending through said tank to the chamber.

2. In a hot water heater, 9. water tank having inner and outer walls, the inner walls defining a heater and flue space, a burner including a liquid fuel storage and vaporizing chamber and a burner pot in communication with the interior of said chamber the interior of the pot being in communication with the interior of said flue space, the burner pot being generally axially aligned therewith and being positioned to close the bottom of said space, means for withdrawing the flue gases from the top of said space, and air supply means for said vaporizing chamber including an air tube extending through said tank to the chamber, and means, responsive to temperature changes adjacent the heater, for varying the rate of flow of air through said tube.

3. In a hot water heater, a water tank having inner and outer walls, the inner walls defining a heater and flue-space, a burner including a liquid fuel storage and vaporizing chamber and a burner pot in communication with the interior of said chamber the interior of the pot being in communication with the interior of said flue space, the burner pot being generally axially aligned therewith and being positioned to close the bottom of said space, means for withdrawing the flue gases from the top' of said space, and air supply means for said vaporizing chamber including an air tube extending through said tank to the chamber, and means, responsive to temperature changes of the liquid in said tank, for varying the rate of flow of air through said tube.

4. In a hot water heater, a water tank having inner and outer walls, the inner walls defining a heater and flue space, a burner including a liquid fuel storage and vaporizing chamber and a burner pot in communication with the interior of said chamber the interior of the pot being in communication with the interior of said flue space, the burner pot being generally axially aligned therewith and being positioned to close the bottom of said space, means for withdrawa heater and flue space, a burner including a liquid fuel storage and vaporizing chamber and a burner pot in communication with the interior of said chamber the interior of the pot being in communication with the interior of said flue space, the burner pot being generally axially aligned therewith and being positioned to close the bottom of said space, means for withdrawing ing the rate of flow of air through said tube, in-

cluding a valve assembly in that portion of the tube which passes through said tank, said assembly including a movable valve element, a heat responsive valve actuating element, and a sup-' port on which said assembly is mounted.

6. In a hot water heater, a water tank having inner and outerwalls, the inner walls defining a heater and flue space, a burner including a liquid fuel storage and vaporizing chamber and a burner pot in communication with the interior of said chamber the interior of the pot being in communication with the interior of said flue space, the burner pot being generally axially aligned therewith and being positioned to close-the bottom of said space, means for withdrawing the flue gases from the top of said space, and air supply means for said vaporizing chamber including an air tube extending through said'tank to the chamber, and means, responsive to temperature changes of the liquid in said tank, for varying the rate of flow of air through said tube, including a valve assembly in that portion of the tube which passes through said tank, said assembly including a movable valve element, a heat responsive valve actuating element, and a support on which said assembly is mounted, said burner pot in communication with the interior of said chamber the interior of the pot being in communication with the interior of said flue space, the burner pot being generally axially aligned therewith and being positioned to close the bottom of said space, means for withdrawing the flue gases from the top of said space, and air supply means for said vaporizing chamber ineluding an air tube extending through said tank to the chamber, and means, responsive to temperature changes adjacent the flue space, for varying the rate of flow of air through said tube.

8. In a hot water heater, a water tank having inner and outer walls, the inner walls defining a heater and flue space, a burner including a liquid fuel storage and vaporizing chamber and a burner pot in communication with the interior of said chamber the interior of the pot being in communication with the interior of said flue space, the burner pot being generally axially aligned therewith and being positioned to close the bottom of said space, means for withdrawing the flue gases from the top of said space, and air supply means for said vaporizing chamber 9. In a'hot water heater, a water tank havin innerand outer walls, the inner walls defining a heater and flue space, a burner including a liquid fuel storage and vaporizing chamber and a burner pot in communication with the interior of said chamber the interior of the pot being in communication with the interior of said flue space, the burner pot being generally axially aligned therewith and being positioned toclose the bottom of said space, means for withdrawing the flue gases from the top of said space, and air supply means for said vaporizing chamber including an air tube extending through said tank to the chamber, and plural means for controlling the rate of flow of air through said tube including valve means and means for'actuating. it in response to temperature changes of the water in the tank, and additional valve means and means for actuating it in response to'changes in the temperature of said flue space.

10. In a demountablehot water heater a ground engaging support, a water tank removably positioned on said support, said tank having inner and outer generally concentric generally cylindrical walls, the inner walls defining the heater and flue space, a burner. pot removably positioned within said support, a generator chamber eleterior being in communication with the interior of said flue space and vaporizing chamber, said pot including a, circumferential wall having a plurality of air inlet apertures located at various distances from the ends of the pot and air supplyv means for said vaporizing chamber in-- cluding an air inlet duct extending through said water tank.

12. In a hot water heater, a water tank having inner and outer generally concentric generally cylindrical walls, the inner, wallsdefining a heater and flue space, a liquid fuel storage and vaporizing chamber axially aligned'with said flue space, a'burner pot interposed between the flue space and the vaporizingchamber, its interior. being in communication with the interior of said flue space and vaporizing chamber, said pot including a circumferential wall having a plurality of air inlet apertures located at various distances from the ends .of the pot and air supply means for said vaporizing chamber including an air inlet duct extending through said water tank,

and heat responsive control means for said duct adapted to control the rate of flow therethrough.

terior being in communication with the interior of said flue space and vaporizing chamber, said pot including a circumferential wall having a plurality of air inlet apertures located at various distances from the ends of the pot and air supply means for said vaporizingchamber' including an air-inlet. duct extending through said water tank, and heat responsive control means for said duct adapted to control the rate or flow therethrough.

14. In a hot water heater, a water tank having inner and outer walls, the inner walls defining a. heater and flue space, a liquid fuel storage and vaporizing chamber axially aligned with said flue space, a burner pot interposed between the flue space and the vaporizing chamber, its in- JAMES L. BREESE. 

